I’m in my 20s, and sometimes I feel like I’m living on a completely different frequency than most people around me. When I try to connect with people my age, it feels forced like I’m mimicking how I think I should act, but it never feels natural.
Everyone seems to bond over things I can’t relate to drinking every weekend, posting for social media, talking about people instead of ideas. I don’t judge it; I just don’t fit into it. When I try to join in, I end up feeling like an outsider pretending to belong. Then I start overthinking: “Did I sound weird? Was that too deep? Did they even care what I said?”
It’s not that I don’t want friends I crave connection. I love deep conversations, late night talks, laughter that feels real. But it feels like everyone’s wearing a mask, and when I take mine off, I realize I’m the only one not playing along.
Sometimes I’ll be in a room full of people my age, and instead of feeling included, I feel lonelier than if I were by myself. I end up spiraling in my head, wondering if maybe I’m just not meant to fit in like maybe I was built for different kinds of connections, ones that don’t revolve around trends or surface level small talk.
I don’t think I’m better or worse than anyone. I just feel… different. Like an alien trying to learn the language of Earth. I wish I could find people who see and feel things the way I do people who understand silence, empathy, and depth without it feeling “too much.”
Does anyone else in their 20s feel like this? Like you’re here, but not really here?